MLB Rumors

The Cubs are expected to designate reliever Michael Bowden for assignment Tuesday in order to clear a space for Matt Garza on the roster, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Bowden struck out seven, walked five and carried a 3.78 ERA through 16 2/3 innings of work in the majors.

Giants outfielder Angel Pagan exited Sunday's series finale against the Rockies due to flu-like symptoms.

Pagan was removed from the game in the fifth. He finished 0 for 2 with a strikeout in a 5-0 defeat. He is hitting 256 with two homers and 18 RBI. His status for Monday's series opener at home against the Nationals is still up in the air.

Twins pitcher Pedro Hernandez suffered his first loss of the season in Sunday's 5-1 defeat to the Red Sox.

Hernandez (2-1), who made his sixth start of the season, surrendered a solo home run to Will Middlebrooks in the second. He was charged with three runs and nine hits over 4 1/3 innings of work. He struck out two and walked one as he saw his ERA rise from 5.79 to 5.85.

Hernandez is scheduled to make his next start Friday at Detroit. He has a whopping 10.22 ERA in three starts away from Target Field.

Red Sox starter John Lackey earned his 130th career victory on Sunday in Minnesota. Lackey left after six innings and 84 pitches as the game went into a rain delay, but the Red Sox held on for his win.

Lackey improved to 2-4 on the year with a 3.31 ERA as he allowed just one unearned run on one hit and no walks over six innings. He struck out five and 50 of his 84 pitches went for strikes. The only run Lackey allowed came in the fifth inning on Chris Parmelee's fielder's choice ground ball that scored on a throwing error.

The 34-year-old Lackey snapped a three-start losing streak as he was searching for that elusive 130th career win. Still, he's not been pitching poorly as evidenced by his ERA and he was excellent on Sunday.

Lackey makes his next scheduled start Friday against Cleveland.

Nationals starting pitcher Dan Haren dropped his second straight decision Sunday afternoon against the Padres.

Haren (4-5), who made his ninth start of the season, had a hard time keeping the ball in the park as he surrendered three runs in the first and home runs to Will Venable and Kyle Blanks in the fifth. He was charged with seven runs and nine hits over five innings of work. He struck out five and walked two as his ERA rose to 5.54 in a 13-4 defeat.

Haren is scheduled to make his next start Saturday at home against the Phillies. He is 3-1 with a 4.91 ERA in four starts at home.

Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner struck out six and turned in an effective outing as he picked up his third win of the season Sunday afternoon against the Nationals.

Cashner (3-2), who made his sixth start of the season, served up a two-run home run to Ryan Zimmerman in the fourth. The right-hander was charged with three runs and seven hits over 6 2/3 innings of work. He walked one and threw 97 pitches. It was his fourth straight start with 90-plus pitches.

Cashner has allowed just five runs over his last three starts (21 1/3 innings). He is scheduled to make his next start Saturday at Arizona. He went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four appearances (two starts) against the Diamondbacks last season.

Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt struck out two as he worked a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation Sunday against the Giants.

Betancourt has struck out two or more in four of his last five appearances. His ERA dropped to 1.56 after Sunday's 5-0 victory.

Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio, who gave up five runs his last time out, turned in a bounce-back performance during Sunday's series finale against the Giants.

Nicasio, who made his ninth start of the season, allowed just three hits as he struck out five and walked one over six scoreless innings of work. His ERA improved to 4.47 after picking up his fourth win of the season.

Nicasio (4-1) has allowed two runs and five hits over his last 11 innings of work at home. He'll face the Giants again Saturday night at AT&T Park. Nicasio is 2-1 with a 5.19 in five starts away from home.

Giants starter Barry Zito endured another rough outing as he suffered his third loss of the season Sunday afternoon against the Rockies.

Zito (3-3), who made his ninth start of the season, surrendered a run-scoring single to Carlos Gonzalez in the first and two more in the fifth. The left-hander was charged with five runs and 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings of work. He struck out four and walked two in a 5-0 defeat.

Zito has allowed 13 runs -- 10 earned -- over his last 11 1/3 innings of work. He is scheduled to make his next start at home against the Rockies. Zito is 3-0 with a stellar 0.55 ERA in five starts at AT&T Park.

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel was called upon for the third consecutive day against the Dodgers Sunday afternoon.

Kimbrel worked his way around a two-out walk as he struck out three to secure his 14th save of the season in a 5-2 win. He has not allowed a run in his last four appearances. Kimbrel has a 2.60 ERA and has converted 14 of 17 save chances.